Control assembly



Oct. 28, 1969 H. R. cAGLE y CONTROL ASSEMBLY 3 Sheets-Sheet l Filed )lay 2, 1966 Oct. 28, 1969 H. R. CAGLE CONTROL ASSEMBLY Filed nay 2. 196e 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 F- gl- Zr W Ha Oct. 28, 1969 H. R. CAGLE 3,474,825

CONTROL ASSEMBLY Filed May 2, 196 l 3 Sheets-Sheet li# //a 1/ v A??? :n i ,//fl' /fg I l g', ll-:L -T IJ .1/ I

"jl/V 'y United States Patent() 'CONTROL ASSEMBLY p Harlan R. Cagle, Clarkston, Mich., assignor to Sahlin Engineering Co., Inc., Troy, IMich., a corporation of Michigan Filed May 2, 1966, Ser. No. 547,026 Int. Cl. B30b 15/16 U.S. Cl. IS7- 596.16 1 14 Claims ABSTRACT F DISCLOSURE This invention relates to a control assembly and more particularly to a control assembly including electrically operable air control valve means for'use with an air operated press unloading device of the type described in UJS. 2,609,776. I

In press unloading devices of the type described in U.S. 2,609,776 a swinging arm carries an airactuatable jaw device between a lowered position adjacent a press cavity and a raised position located upwardly and outwardly from the press. The swinging arm is moved from the lowered position to the raised position by an air actuatable cylinder means to which high pressure air is directed. The swinging arm is lowered by exhausting the high pressure air from the cylinder means at a controlled rate. The jaw carried by the swinging arm is positively closed and opened to grip and release a workpiece by means of a double acting air cylinder to which high pressure air is directed and from which high pressure is exhausted alternately to and from opposite ends to Obtain the opening and closing movements of the jaw.

The prior art apparatus for controlling the movements of the press unloading apparatus has comprised separate control valve devices for each air cylinder, a separate speed control device for controlling the rate of movement of the swinging arm from the lowered position to the raised position, and separate electrical controls. The prior art control apparatus has been rather bulky kvand heavy causing installation problems becauseof the space required and the weight of the components. Furthermore, repair and maintenance of the control system have been diicult.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved control assembly for a swinging arm type press unloader or the like which is more compact and less bulky, lighter in weight, utilizes less parts, and may be more easily installed and maintained than prior art devices. Y

The inventive principles are illustratively disclosed by reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE l is a schematic side elevational view of the control assembly;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a portion of thevcontrol assembly including the valve apparatus; f

FIG. 3 is an end view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 2; l

FIG. 4 is a partial end view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 2; l

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line 5-5 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a schematic side elevational view of the entire control assembly; and

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FIG. 7 is an end view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 6.

Referring now to FIGS. l, 6, and 7, the present control assembly is a self-contained portable unit adapted to be mounted on a portion of a press unloader frame 10 by a single threaded fastening device 11 extending through a keyhole slot 12 in an 'attaching bracket 13 and comprises an electrical control box section 14 from a control valve section 15. Electrical control box section 14 includes spaced rows of electrical terminals 16, 18, an electric motor for the speed control, and a coupling 22 for the speed control mounted on a plate 23. Valve actuating solenoids 24, 26 are removably mounted on the control valve section 14. It may be observed that the electrical connections between the motor 20 and the solenoids 24,

26 Aare made entirely within the contines of the'electrical control box section. Consequently, a removable cover 27 may be applied to the electrical control box section to cover all of the electrical terminals and the connecting Wires. The entire electrical control box -section 14 is removably connected by suitable fastening means (not shown) to and supports the valve section 15 which comprises separable operating valve portions 28, 30, speed control valve portion 32, and a main ow control valve block 34. Removable end plates 31, 33 provide access to solenoids 24, 26.

Referring now to FIG. 2, it will be seen that the operating valve housings 28, 30 are separately formed units -mounted on a side surface 35 of the main valve housing 34 and secured thereto by suitable fastening means (not shown) with suitable gasket means 36, 38 therebetween. Speed control valve 32 is mounted between the operating valves 28, 30 in a centrally located valve chamber passage 39 opening through surface 35 in the main valve housing 34. Valve 32 controls the rate of flow of high pressure air through a port 40 by means of a rotatively axially displaceable valve head 42 mounted on a stem 44 which is threadably mounted at 46 in a support block 48. The upper end 50 of stem 44 is adapted to be suitably coupled to the reversible electric motor 20 through coupling 22. Thus, by reversible actuation of the electric motor 20, the valve stem 44 may be rotated within the block 48 to variably position the valve head 42 relative to the passage 40 to control the rate of ow of high pressure air therethrough and, hence, the rate of movement of a swinging arm of a press unloader from the lowered position to the raised position as will hereinafter become apparent.

The main valve assembly 34 is connected to a suitable source of high pressure air by a common inlet port 52 which opens through a side surface S3 of the valve housing, opposite surface 35, -and terminates in an inlet chamber 54. When valve head 42 is in an open position, which is its normal condition, high pressure air ows through port 40 into chamber 56. A two-way iiow control valve 58 of conventi-cual design is mounted in a valve chamber passage 59, in general parallel relationship to speed control valve 32 and the centrally located valve chamber passage 39. Valve head 60 controls ow through a port 62 between chamber 56 and chamber 64. An outlet passage 66, opening through a side surface `67 extending generally transversely between surfaces 35 and 53, is adapted to be coupled to the main air cylinder by which the swinging arm is moved from the lowered position to the raised position. A spring 68 biases the valve head 60 to a closed position relative to port 62. A cap 70 permits access to spring 68 and valve head `60. Chamber 64 is connected to a chamber 72 by Ia port 74. Flow between chamber 64 and chamber 72 is controlled by valve head 76. Valve 58 is movable to an air cylinder actuating position with valve head 60 displaced from port 62 against the bias of 3 spring 68 and valve head 76 seated and closing port 74. In

the exhaust position, shown in FIG. 2, valve head 60 is` seated about port 62 and valve head 76 is spaced from port 74 to allow flow of high pressure air from the main air cylinder through port 66, chamber 64, port 74, and chamber 72 to an exhaust port 78 opening through side surface 67.

The valve 58 is selectively movable between the exhaust position and actuating position by energization of solenoid 24. A valve stem 80 is actuated against the bias of a spring 82 to move valve head 84 away from port 86 and permit flow of high pressure air from chamber 54 through chamber 88, passage 90, chamber 92 in control valve block 48, passage 94, chamber 96 opening in surface 35, passage 98, chamber 100, passage 102, and passage 104 to valve chamber 106 which opens through surface 35. The high pressure air acts against valve surface 108 to move the valve 58 against spring 68 and open chamber 56 to chamber 64 through port 62 and close chamber 64 to chamber '72 through port 74. When the solenoid 24 is selecn tively de-energized, valve head 84 moves to the closed position, shown in FIG. 2, and chamber 106 is connected to an exhaust port (not shown) in passage 102, the exhaust port being closed by valve stem 80 when valve head 84 is opened. Solenoid 24 is selectively energized and deenergized by switch means associated with the press unloader so that, when upward swinging movement of the swinging arm is desired, solenoid 24 is energized and high pressure air is delivered through outlet port 66 to the main air cylinder. Solenoid 24 is selectively de-energized when it is desired to downwardly move the swinging arm so as t-o connect the main air cylinder to exhausting port 78 through chamber 72, port 74, chamber 64, and port 66.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, opposite ends of the double acting air cylinder for the workpiece gripping jaw of the press unloader are connectible to the high pressure source and exhaust through ports 110, 112 opening through side surface 113 extending generally transversely between surfaces 35, 53. Flow through ports 110, 112 is controlled by two-way flow control valves 114, 116 of conventional design mounted in valve chamber passages 117, 118 in general parallel relationship to flow control valve 58 and the valve chamber passage 59 therefor and being offset on opposite sides of the centrally located speed control valve 32 and the valve chamber passage 39 therefor. In the position shown in FIG. 5, port 110 is connectible to an exhaust port 119 through exhaust chamber 120, port 122, and chamber 124. Valve head 126 is displaced from port 122 by spring 127 and valve head 128 is seated about port 130 to prevent ow of high pressure air from chamber 132, connected to chamber 54, through port 130. When valve 114 is selectively actuated, the valve is displaced against the -bias of spring 127 to close port 122 by seating valve head 126 and to open port 130 by displacing valve head 128 so that high pressure air flows from chamber 54 through chamber 132, port 130, and chamber 124 to port 110. When valve 114 is in the exhaust position, shown in FIG. 5, valve 116 is in the air cylinder actuating position with high pressure chamber 132 connected to chamber 134 through passage 136 in plug element 138. One side of the jaw cylinder is connected to the high pressure source through passage 112 which intersects chamber 134. Valve head 140 is seated about passage 142 by compression spring 144. When valve 116 is selectively actuated, valve head 140 is moved away from passage 142 against the bias of spring 144 and onto the valve plug 138 to close passage 136. The jaw cylinder is connected to the exhaust chamber 120 through passage 142, chamber 134, and port 112. Thus, one end of the air cylinder for the jaw is exhausted while the other end of the air cylinder is actuated by being subjected to high pressure air.

The valves 114, 116 are selectively actuated by energization and de-energization of solenoid 26. Referring again to FIG. 2, when solenoid 26 is energized, a valve spool 146 is slidably actuated in a valve chamber passage 148 against the bias of compression spring 150 to move valve head 152 away from port 154connecting passage 148 to chamber 156. In this manner, high pressure air is delivered from chamber 88 through passage 158, chamber 156, port 154, passage 148, passage 160, to chamber 162, FIG. 5. Valve chambers 164, 166 are connected to chamber 162 so that high pressure air may act against valve surfaces 168, to move the valves 114, 116 against the bias of springs 126, 144. In the open position of valve 152, valvevspool 146 closes exhaust port 172, FIG. 2. When solenoid 26 is de-energized, valve head 152 is seated about port 154 and exhaust port 172 communicates with chamber 148 and passage 160 to permit high pressure air in valve chambers 164, 166 to be exhausted and valves 114, 116 returned to their normal positions by springs 126,144.

In this manner, a new and improved control assembly is provided which requires a mounting space approximately one-fifth the size previously required by prior art devices capable of performing the same functions. Furthermore, whereas a similar prior art type control assembly weighed approximately titty-pounds, the present assembly weighs approximately fourteen pounds. Furthermore, the number of parts has been reduced and the connecting of the various components has been simplified. The electrical components are mounted together and are capable of being easily separated from the valve unit so that the entire electrical system or the entire valve system may be replaced as a unit for repair and maintenance. It is contemplated that the entire control assembly be removed and replaced -as a unit on the press whenever maintenance or repair is required to effect maximum cost reductions. All fluid connections to the various fluid inlet and exhaust ports are made by means of quick disconnect couplings of conventional plug and socket type construction requiring only axial movement for connection and disconnection. Similarly, the electrical connections are also made by simple plug-in type components. Actually, the only tool required for removal and replacement of the control assembly is a screw driver for loosening fastening 11 whereby the entire assembly may be removed and replaced after disconnection of the quick disconnect couplings. The unit is of a size, approximately 12" x l2", and weight, approximately fourteen pounds, as to be easily handled by a single maintenance man on a ladder. Replacement of the entire assembly may be eifectuated in less than a minute by a skilled mechanic. Thus, press down time for control maintenance and repair is greatly reduced. In this manner, the separate services of plumbers, pipe tters, and electricians for maintenance on the press unloading device at the press site may 'be dispensed with and, instead, the control assembly may be replaced as a unit. Thus, the present invention provides an extremely simplified control system providing substantial savings in manufacture and use. The provision of a seven-way valve unit in a'single valve block 34 is particularly advantageous.

While the present invention has been described in connection with press unloading apparatus, and has particular utility and advantages in association therewith, it is contemplated that certain of the features of this invention may be incorporated with other types of apparatus without departing from the intended spirit and scope of the present invention.

Accordingly, it is intended that the appended claims be construed to include alternative embodiments of the inventive principles except insofar as limited by the prior art.

The invention claimed is:

1. In combination in a control assembly for use with a press unloader or the like having a single acting air operated rnain cylinder operable fby intake and exhaust of high pressure air from a high. pressure source and a double acting air operated jaw cylinder operable by intake and exhaust of high pressure air from the high pressure source:

a main cylinder air ow control valve operable between an intake position for delivering high pressure air to the main cylinder and an exhaust position for exhausting high pressure air from the main cylinder;

a first operating valve actuable between an intake position .and an exhaust position for causingactuation of said main cylinder air flow control valve between the intake position and the exhaust position;

-first electrically operable solenoid means operably connected to said first operating valve to move said first operating valve between the intake position and the exhaust position; t

first electrical terminal means for supplying electrical energy for operation of said first solenoid means;

first electrical lead means connecting said first terminal means to said first solenoid means;

a speed control valve operable to vary the rate of ow of high pressure air from the high pressure source through said main cylinder air iiow control valve in the intake position;

electric motor means for actuating said speed control valve;

coupling means connecting said motor means to said speed control valve;

a pair of jaw cylinder air fiow control v-alves alternately operable :between intake positions for alternating delivering high pressure air to opposite ends of the jaw vcylinder and exhaust positions for alternately exhausting high pressure air from opposite ends of the jaw cylinder;

a second operating valve actuable :between an intake position and an exhaust position for causing actuation of said jaw cylinder air fiow control valves between the intake positions and the exhaust positions;

second electrically operable solenoid means operably connected to said second operating valve to move' -said second operating Valve between the intake position and the exhaust position;

second electrical terminal means for supplying electrical energy for operation of said second solenoid means;

second electrical lead means connecting said second terminal means to said second solenoid means;

a common valve housing having-a valve chamber passage for each of said main cylinder air ow control valve and said jaw cylinder `air flow controlivalves and said speed control valve;

each valve chamber passage formed in said common valve housing movably mounting one valve in spaced parallel relationship,

a common air intake passage means 'adapted to be connected to said source for each valve and being centrally located in said valve housing .and opening in a first side wall of said housing, i y

the speed control valve and the valve chamber passage therefor being centrally located in said valve housing in general axial alignment with said air intake passage means with the valve chamber passage opening in a second side wall of said housing opposite the first side wall,

said speed control valve being removably mounted in the valve chamber passage therefor, Y

an inlet passage in said valve housing connecting said air intake passage means to the main cylinder air flow control valve and the Valve chamber passage therefor through the' speed control valve and the valve chamber passage therefor, Y

said speed control valve being controllably associated with said air inlet passage to regulate the ow of air from said air intake passage to said main cylinder air flow control valve and the valve chamber passage therefor,

said main cylinder airpfiow control valve and the valve chamber passage therefor being generally parallel to and offset to one side of the speed control valve and the valve chamber passage associated therewith,

a main cylinder air intake port and a main cylinder exhaust port connected to and operatively controlled -by said main cylinder 'air lflow control valve and the lvalve chamber passage therefor and opening through a side wall of said valve housing extending generally transversely lbetween the first and second side walls,

a first valve operating air port connected to said main cylinder air fiow control valve and the valve chamber passage therefor and opening through said second'side wall and being generally parallel to and offset to one side of the speed control valve and the valve chamber passage therefor in general parallel alignment with said'main cylinder air fiow control valve and the valve chamber passage therefor,

said pair of jaw cylinder air flow control valves and the valve chamber passages therefor being generally parallel to and offset to 'another side of the speed control valve and the valve chamber passage therefor,

jaw cylinder intake and exhaust ports connected to and operatively controlled by said pair of jaw cylinder air flow control valves and the valve chamber passages therefor -and opening through a side wall of said valve housing extending generally transversely between the first and second side walls.

a. second Valve operating air port connected to said pair of jaw cylinder air fiow control valves and the valve chamber passages therefor and opening through said second side wall and being generally parallel to and offset to one side of the speed control valve and the valve chamber passage therefor in general parallel alignment with said jaw cylinder air flow control valves and the valve chamber passages therefor,

the first and second valve operating air ports being located generally on opposite sides of said speed control valve and the valve chamber passage therefor,

:first and second high pressure air passages in said valve housing connected to said common air intake passage and opening through said second side wall adjacent said first and second valve operating air ports;

first and second separate valve housings provided for said first and second operating valves and having attachment surfaces and being removably mounted on said common valve housing with said attachment surfaces supported by said second `side wall on genenally opposite sides of said speed control valve and the valve chamber passage therefor,

the' first operating valve housing having valve chamber passage means connecting `said first high pressure -air passage to said first valve operating air port in said valve housing and the Isecond operating valve housing having valve chamber passage means connecting said second high pressure air passage to said second valve operating air port in said common valve houslng i solenoid chambers provided in the first and second separate valve housings and opening in a surface 0pposite said attachment surfaces,

the first and second electrically operable solenoid means being removably mounted in said solenoid chambers;

an electrical housing mounted-*adjacent said first and second separate valve housings and supporting said first and second electrical terminal means and said motor means,

passage means between said electrical housing and said solenoid means for said first and second electrical lead means and between said electrical housing and said speed control valve for said coupling means;

and common support means for all of the aforerecited components connecting said components to one another to form a single unitary portable control assembly.

2. A valve assembly for controlling fluid flow to a plurality of outlets comprising:

a plurality of axially movable flow control valves, there being one ow control valve for each outlet,

a plurality of axially movable operating valves for actuating said iiow control valves,

a common valve housing for said flow control valves,

a common inlet port in said valve housing for all of said flow control valves and for said operating valves,

a plurality of valve chamber passages, there being a valve chamber passage for each of said oW control valves,

said ow control valves and the valve chamber passages therefor extending parallel to one another in said common valve housing,

and said operating valves being mounted parallel to one another and extending generally transversely to said flow control valves and the valve chamber passages therefor.

3. A valve assembly for controlling fluid ow to a plurality of outlets comprising:

a plurality of axially movable flow control valves al1 mounted in axially spaced parallel relationship,

a common valve housing providing separate axially spaced parallel valve chamber passages for each of said flow control valves,

a common inlet port for said valve assembly opening through a first side surface of said valve hou-sing,

an outlet port associated with and controlled by each of said flow control valves,

all outlet ports opening through side surfaces of said valve housing extending generally transversely to Said first side surface,

and a plurality of axially movable operating valves for actuating said flow control valves all mounted in axially spaced parallel relationship on a second surface of said valve housing.

4. In combination in a control system assembly and mounted side by side in adjacent relationship:

an electrical subassembly comprising:

electrical terminal means, and a frame supporting said electrical terminal means;

a valve subassembly comprising:

a high pressure outlet port adapted to be connected to a uid actuatable device, an exhaust port connected to said outlet port and adapted to exhaust high pressure uid from said fluid actuatable device,

a flow passage interconnecting said outlet port and said exhaust port,

an inlet port adapted to be connected to a source of high pressure fluid,

Ipassage means connecting said inlet port and said outlet port,

flow control valve means controlling flow through said exhaust passage and said inlet passage and being operable between a iirst position opening said inlet passage and closing said exhaust passage and a second position closing said inlet passage and opening said exhaust passage;

control means for selectively operating said iiow control valve means between said rst and `second positions comprising as a subassembly mounted on said valve subassembly:

an inlet passage for high pressure iuid being connected to said inlet passage in said valve assembly,

an outlet passage for high pressure liuid connected to said flow control valve means and adapted to carry high pressure fluid into operative engagement with said ow control valve means to cause displacement thereof between said rst and second positions,

operating valve means mounted between said inlet passage means and said outlet passage means and controlling ow therethrough,

and solenoid means directly connected to said electrical terminal means and operatively connected to said operating valve means for operating said operating valve means ,between open and closed positions relative to said inlet passage means and said outlet passage means.

5. A control assembly for controlling operation of a press unloader or the like having a swinging arm or the like operable by a main luid actuatable arm actuating cylinder and a jaw mechanism operable by a fluid actuatable jaw actuating cylinder, said control assembly being formed as a self-contained portable unit of a size and Weight permitting handling by a single mechanic for attachment and removal from association with said press unloader and comprising:

at least one ow control valve means for controlling operation of said main cylinder,

at least one additional flow control valve means for controlling operation of said jaw actuating cylinder,

operating valve means for each of said ow control valve means,

a common valve housing for said ow control valve means electrical apparatus for selectively actuating said operating valve means to selectively position said flow control valve means,

said operating valve means and said electrical apparatus being mounted on said common valve housing and movable therewith as a self-contained portable unit,

and a single attachment means for attaching said control assembly to the press unloader.

6. In combination in a control assembly for use with a press unloader or the like having a single acting air operated main cylinder operable by intake and exhaust of high pressure air from a high pressure source and a double acting air operated jaw cylinder operable by intake and exhaust of high pressure air from the high pressure source:

a main cylinder air flow -control valve operable between an intake position for delivering high pressure air to the main cylinder and an exhaust position for ex- Y hausting high pressure air from the main cylinder;

a first operating valve actuatable between an intake position and an exhaust position for causing actuation of said main cylinder air ow control valve between the intake position and the exhaust position;

first electrically operable solenoid means operably connected .to said lirst operating valve to move said first operating valve between the intake position and the exhaust position;

iirst electrical terminal means for supplying electrical energy for operation of said first solenoid means;

rst electrical lead means connecting said first terminal means to said iirst solenoid means;

a speed control valve operable to vary the rate of flow of high pressure air from the high pressure source through said main cylinder air flow control valve in the intake position;

electric motor means for actuating said speed control valve;

coupling means connecting said motor means to said speed control valve;

a pair of jaw cylinder air flow control valves alternately operable between intake positions for alternately delivering high pressure air to opposite ends of the jaw cylinder and exhaust positions for alternately exhausting high pressure air from opposite ends of the jaw cylinder;

a second operating valve actuatable between an intake position and an exhaust position for causing actuation of said jaw cylinder air ow control valves between the intake positions and the exhaust positions;

second electrically operable solenoid means operably connected to said second operating valve to move said second operating valve between the intake position and the exhaust position; t

second electrical terminal means for supplying electrical energy for operation of said second solenoid means;

second electrical lead means connecting said second terminal means to said second solenoid means;

a first valve housing means having a valve chamber passage for each of said main cylinder air flow control valve and said jaw cylinder air flow control valves, said speed control valve, said first operating valve, and said second operating valve;

each valve chamber passage formed in said first valve housing means reciprocably mounting one valve in spaced relationship,

air intake passage means adapted to be connected to said source for each valve located in said first valve housing means and opening in a side wall of said valve housing means,

the speed control valve and the valve chamber passage therefor opening in an attachment surface on a side wall of said first valve housing means,

said speed control valve being removably mounted in the valve chamber passage therefor,

an inlet passage in said first valve housing means connecting said air intake passage means to the main cylinder air ow control valve and the valve chamfber passage therefor through the speed control valve and the valve chamber passage therefor,

said speed control valve being controllably associated with said air inlet passage to regulate the flow of air from said air intake passage to said main cylinder lair flow control valve and the valve chamber passage therefor,

said main cylinder air flow control valve Iand the valve chamber passage therefor being generally parallel to the speed control valve and the valve chamber passage associated therewith,

a main cylinder air intake port and a main cylinder exhaust port connected to and operatively controlled lby said main cylinder air ow control valve and the valve chamber passage therefor and opening through a side wall of said iirst valve housing means spaced from said attachment surface,

a first valve operating air port connected to said main cylinder air flow control valve and the valve chamber passage therefor .and opening through said attachment surface in general parallel alignment with said main cylinder air flow control valve and the valve chamber passage therefor,

said pair of jaw cylinder air ow control valves and the valve chamber passages therefor being generally parallel to the speed control valve and the valve chamber passage therefor,

jaw cylinder intake and exhaust ports connected to and operatively controlled by said pair of jaw cylinder air flow `control valves and the valve chamber passages therefor and opening through a side w-all of said rst valve housing means spaced from said attachment surface,

a second valve operating air port connected to said pair of jaw cylinder air flow control valves and the valve chamber passages therefor `and opening through said attachment surface in general parallel alignment with said jaw cylinder air flow control valves and the valve chamber passages therefor,

first and second high pressure air passages in said first I valve housing means connected to said air intake passage and opening through said attachment surface adjacent said lirst and second valve operating air ports;

second valve housing means provided for said first and second operating valves and having attachment surface means and being removably mounted on said first valve housing means with said attachment surfaces supported by said attachment surface,

the second valve housing means having valve chamber passage means connecting said rst high pressure air passage to said first valve operating air port in said first valve housing means and having valve chamber passage means connecting said second high pressure air passage to said second valve operating air port in said lirst valve housing means,

solenoid mounting means provided in the second valve housing means,

electrical housing means mounted adjacent said second valve housing means and supporting said rst and second electrical terminal means and said motor means,

passage means between said electrical housing Iand said solenoid means for said rst and second electrical lead means and between said electrical housing and said speed control valve for said coupling means;

and common support means for all of the aforerecited components connecting said components to one another to form a single unitary portable control assembly.

7. In combination in a control assembly for use with a press unloader or the like having a single acting air operated main cylinder operable =by intake and exhaust of high pressure air from a high pressure source and a double acting air operated jaw cylinder operable by intake and exhaust of high pressure air from the high pressure source:

a main cylinder -air ow control valve operable between an intake position for delivering high pressure air to the main cylinder and an exhaust position for exhausting high pressure air from the main cylinder;

a speed control valve operable to vary the rate of ow of high pressure air from the high pressure source through said main cylinder air ow control valve in the intake position;

a pair of jaw cylinder air flow control valves alternately operable between intake positions for alternately delivering high pressure air to opposite ends of the jaw cylinder and exhaust positions for alternately exhausting high pressure air from opposite ends of the jaw cylinder;

a common valve housing having a valve chamber passage for eac'h of said main cylinder air llow control valve and said jaw cylinder air flow control valves and said speed control valve;

each valve chamber passage formed in said common valve housing mountnig one valve in spaced parallel relationship,

a common air intake passage means adapted to be connected to said source for each valve and being centrally located in said valve housing and opening in a iirst side wall of said housing,

the speed control valve and the valve chamber passage therefore being cent-rally located in said valve housing in general axial alignment with said air intake passage means with the valve chamber passage opening in -a second side wall of said housing opposite the first side wall,

said speed control valve being removably mounted in the valve chamber passage therefor,

an inlet passage in said valve housing connecting said air intake passage means to the main cylinder air flow control valve and the valve chamber passage therefor through the speed control valve and the valve chamber passage therefor,

said speed control valve being lcontrollably associated with said air inlet passage to regulate the flow of air from said air intake passage to said main cylinder air flow control valve and the valve chamber passage therefor,

said main cylinder air flow control valve and the valve chamber passage therefor being generally parallel to and olfset to one side of the speed control valve land the valve chamber passage associated therewith,

a main cylinder air intake port and a main cylinder exhaust port connected to and operatively controlled by said main cylinder air flow control valve and the valve chamber passage therefor and opening through a side wall of said valve housing extending generally transversely between the first and second side walls,

a first valve operating air port connected to said main cylinder air flow control Valve and the Valve chamber passage therefor and opening through said second side wall and being generally parallel to and ofset to one side of the speed control valve and the valve chamber passage therefor in general parallel alignment with said main cylinder air fiow control valve and the valve chamber passage therefor,

said pair of jaw cylinder air fiovv control valves and the valve chamber passages therefor being generally parallel to and offset to another side of the speed control valve and the valve chamber passage therefor,

jaw cylinder intake and exhaust ports connected to and operatively controlled by said pair of jaw cylinder air ow control valves and the valve chamber passages therefor and opening through a side wall of said valve housing extending generally transversely between the first and second side walls,

a second Valve operating air port connected to said pair of jaw cylinder air fiow control Valves' and the valve chamber passages therefor and opening through said second side wall and being generally parallel to and offset to one side of the speed control valve and the valve chamber passage therefor in general parallel alignment with said jaw cylinder air iiow control valves and the valve chamber passages therefor, and

the first and second valve operating air ports being located generally on opposite sides of said speed control valve and the valve chamber passage therefor.

8. In combination in a control assembly for use with a press unloader or the like having a first air operated cylinder operable by intake and exhaust of high pressure air from a high pressure source and a second air operated cylinder operable by intake and exhaust of high pressure air from the high pressure source:

a first cylinder air flow control valve operable between an intake position for delivering high pressure air to the first cylinder and an exhaust position for exhausting high pressure air from the first cylinder;

a first operating valve actuable between an intake position and an exhaust position for causing actuation of said first cylinder air fiow control valve between the intake position and the exhaust position;

first electrically operable solenoid means operably connected to said first operating valve to move said first operating valve between the intake position and the exhaust position;

first electrical terminal means for supplying electrical energy for operation of said first solenoid means;

first electrical lead means connecting said first terminal means to said first solenoid means;

a speed control Valve operable to vary the rate of flow of high pressure air from the high pressure source through said first cylinder air flow control valve in the intake position;

electric motor means for actuating said speed control valve;

coupling rneans connecting said motor means to said speed control valve;

a pair of second cylinder air fiow control valves alternately operable between intake positions for alternately delivering high pressure air to opposite ends of the second cylinder and exhaust positions for alternately exhausting high pressure air from opposite ends of the second cylinder;

a second operating valve actuable between an intake position and an exhaust position for causing actuation of said second cylinder air flow control valves between the intake positions and the exhaust positions;

second electrically operable solenoid means operably connected to said second operating valve to move said second operating valve between the intake position and the exhaust position;

second electrical terminal means for supplying electrical energy for operation of said second Solenoid means;

second electrical lead means connecting said second terminal means to said second solenoid means;

a common valve housing having a valve chamber passage for each of said first cylinder air flow control valve and said second cylinder air flow control valves and said speed control valve;

each valve chamber passage formed in said common valve housing reciprocably mounting one valve in spaced parallel relationship,

a common air intake passage means adapted to be yconnected to said source for each valve,

an inlet passage in said valve housing connecting said air intake passage means to the first cylinder air iiow control valve and the valve chamber passage therefor through the speed control valve and the valve charnber passage therefor,

said speed control valve being controllably associated with said air inlet passage to regulate the fiow of air from said air intake passage to said first cylinder air flow control valve and the valve chamber passage therefor,

said first cylinder air fiow control valve and the valve chamber passage therefor being generally parallel to and offset to one side of the speed control valve and the valve chamber passage associated therewith,

said pair of second cylinder air fiow control valves and the valve chamber passages therefor being generally parallel to and offset to one side of the speed control valve and the valve chamber passage therefor,

first and second separate valve housings provided for said first and second operating valves and being removably mounted on said common valve housing,

an electrical housing mounted adjacent said first and second separate valve housings and supporting said first and second electrical terminal means and said motor means,

and common support means for all of the aforerecited components connecting said components to one another to form a single unitary portable control assembly.

9. In combination in a control assembly for use with a press unloader or the like having air operated cylinder means operable by intake and exhaust of high pressure air from a high pressure source:

a first air ow control valve operable between an intake position for `delivery of high pressure air to the cylinder means and an exhaust position for exhausting high pressure air from the cylinder means;

a speed control valve operable to vary the rate of fiow of high pressure air from the high pressure source through said first air flow control valve;

at least two additional air fiow control valves selectively operable between intake positions for delivery of high pressure air cylinder means and exhaust positions for exhausting high pressure air from the cylinder means;

and a common valve housing having a valve chamber passage for each of said first air flow control Valve and said additional air flow control valves and said speed control valve.

10. The invention as defined in claim 9 and wherein:

each valve chamber passage formed in said common valve housing movably mounting one valve in spaced parallel relationship,

a common air intake passage means adapted to be connected to said source for each valve and being centrally located in said valve housing and opening in a rst side wall of said housing,

the speed control valve and the valve chamber passage therefor being centrally located in said valve housing in general axial alignment with said air intake passage means with the valve chamber passage opening in a second side wall of said housing opposite the rst side Wall,

an inlet passage in said valve housing connecting said air intake passage means to the rst air flow control valve and the valve chamber passage therefor through the speed control valve and the valve chamber passage therefor,

said speedcontrol valve being controllably associated with said air inlet passage to regulate the flow of air from said air intake passage to said first air flow control valve and the valve chamber passage therefor, and

said iirst air flow control valve and the valve chamber passage therefor being generally parallel to and olset to one side -of the speed control valve and the valve chamber passage associated therewith.

11. The invention as dened in claim 10 and having:

an air intake port and an exhaust port connected to and operatively controlled by said rst air ow control valve and the valve chamber passage therefor and opening through a side Wall of said valve housing extending generally transversely between the rst and second side walls.

12. The invention as defined in claim 10 and wherein:

said additional air flow control valves and the valve chamber passages therefor being generally parallel to and offset to one side of the speed control valve and the valve chamber passage therefor 13. The invention as defined in claim 12 and having:

intake and exhaust ports connected to and operatively controlled by said additional air llow control valves and the valve chamber passages therefor and opening through a side wall of said valve housing extending generally transversely between the lirst and second side walls.

14. The invention as defined in claim 4 wherein:

said valve subassembly comprising rst and second flow control valve means,

said control means comprising irst and second separable operating valve housings removably mounted on said valve subassembly adjacent said irst and second ow control means.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,970,611 2/1961 Hoge 137-596.16 3,038,500 6/1962 Lansky et al 137-596.15 3,194,266 7/1965 Abbott et al. 137-596.16 2,163,591 6/1939 Deverall l37-561.1 XR 2,598,961 6/1952 Andrus 137-608 2,781,780 2/1957 Zahradka 137-608 FOREIGN PATENTS 681,765 9/1929 France.

M. CARY NELSON, Primary Examiner ROBERT J. MILLER, Assistant Examiner 

